Boot support and separator

ABSTRACT

A support fitted into a boot following the boot contour for use during packing and shipping. A tongue portion extending above the boot top receives the toe portion of the mated boot to maintain the boots separated from each other.

United States Patent Struble BOOT SUPPORT AND SEPARATOR Glenn E. Struble, Fairfield, Ohio Diamond International Corporation, New York, NY.

Filed: Jan. 28, 1971 Appl. No.: 110,679

Inventor:

Assignee:

US. Cl ..l2/1l4.6 Int. CL; ..A43d 5/00 Field of Search ..12/128 R, 114.6, 114.2

References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1900 Stevens ..12/114.6

[151 3,699,598 1 Oct. 24, 1972 Myers ..12/128 R Goldberg 12/1 14.6

Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Attorney-Karl W. Flocks [57] ABSTRACT A support fitted into a boot following the boot contour for use during packing and shipping. A tongue portion extending above the boot top receives the toe portion of the mated boot to maintain the boots separated from each other.

21 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHBTM s12 3.699 598 sum 1 or 2 ATTORNEY PATENTEDum 24 m2 SHEET 2 BF 2 FIG] FIG. 5..

INVENTOR GLENN E. STRUBLE BOOT SUPPORT AND SEPARATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to disposable paperboard forms and more particularly to forms to be used for supporting and separating boots and similar type footwear during shipping and while still packed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention toprovide a disposable support for boots and similar footwear shaped so as to prevent creasing or scuffing of the material, such as leather, during shipping and while packed. t

It is a further object of the present invention to make this disposable support in inexpensive paperboard form.

It is still another object. of the present invention to make this form easy to manufacture requiring a less expensive type of gluer that can work on .a straight line in untimed relationship with the passage of supports being manufactured.

A still further object of the present invention is for the support to be of a type easily assembled in the plant where the boots or similar footwear are to be packed.

According y, the present invention is directed to a support and separator having a tapered tube with curved scores and cuts forming flaps spaced from the bottom of the taper, with a tongue portion positioned to project beyond the top of the footwear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention can best be understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the blank of one embodiment of the support and separator in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows the blank of FIG. 1 after the first fold is made in the process of forming the support form; x

FIG. 3 shows the support in collapsed condition after a second fold and gluing;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the support and separator in the shape it assumes in use in a boot;

FIG. 5 shows the support and separator of the present invention in eachof a pair of boots as used in the packing of these boots;

FIG. 6 illustrates the blank of a second. embodiment of the support and separator in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows the blank of FIG. 6 after the first fold is made in the process of forming the support form;

FIG. 8 shows the support of FIG. 6 in collapsed condition after a second fold and gluing; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the support and separator in the shape it assumes in use in a boot.

I DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIG. 1 the blank 10 there illustrated includes a pair of side wall panels 11 and. 12 each bisected by a score line 13 and 14, respectively. Side wall panel 11 is connected to side wall panel 12 by a Along an opposite edgeof sidewall panell2 from lateral score line 18 is lateral score line 19 connecting panel 12 to asubstantially rectangular end wall panel 21. Glue flap 22 is attached to end wall panel 21 along lateral score line 23.

Side wall panel 12 has a tongue portion 26, also bisected by score line 14, which extends above the portion of panel 12 which is connected to end wall panels 16 and 21. Below the tongue portion 26, extending transversely across score line 14 is slot 27. Below slot 27, at a position intermediate of slot 27 and the bottom .edge28 of the blank 10, is flap 31 outlined by arcuate score line 32, .cut lines 33 and 34 extending from the ends of score line 32 upward along a portion of score lines 18 and '19, respectively, for a distance approximately equal to the transverse width of end wall panels .16 and 21, respectively, and arcuate cut line 35 extending transversely of side wall panel 12 connecting the upper. ends of cut lines 33 and 34. A tab 36 is attache to flap 31, centered on arcuate cut line 35.

Side wall panel 11, attached to end wall panel 16 at lateral s'core line 17 forms a tapered panel with score line 17 and free edge 41 tapering outward in an upward direction. Similarly, score lines 18 and 19 cause panel 12 to have a tapered form with score lines 18 and 19 extending outward in an upward direction.

At the top end of side wall panel 11 is a flap 42 defined by arcuate score line 43, side edges 44 and 45 extending from the ends of score line 43 for a distance approximately equal to the transverse width of end wall panels 21 and 16, respectively, and arcuate edge 46 connecting the free ends of side edges 44 and 45. A tab 47 is attached to flap 42 and centered on arcuate edge 46. Slot 27 in side wall panel 12 is so positioned as to receive tab 47 when flap 42 is folded along score line 43 and the blank 10 is assembled as described later. In a likemanner a slot 48 is positioned transversely of score line 13 in a position nearer to the bottom edge 28 of blank 10 at a point to receive tab 36 when flap 31 is folded along score line 32 and the: blank 10 is assembled- Bisecting score line 13 extends from bottom edge 28 upward through side wall panel ll including flap 42 and tab 47.

Glue flap 22, connected to end wall panel 21 by score line 23, has its remaining edges free in a somewhat beveled form. These free edges in order connected to each other are edge 51 connected to the top end of score line 23 and having its opposite end connected to free edge 52, which has its other end connected to edge 53. Continuing downward and connected thereto are edges 54 and finally edge 55 having its opposite end connected to the bottom of score line 23. A notch 56 extends inward from edge 54. A straight glue line 57 extends longitudinally of flap 22 in a direction so that an extension of the glue line 57 would not cross any of the other panels.

With blank 10 cut and scored as shown in FIG. 1, a glue line 57 is added on the outside of glue flap 22. The surface seen in FIG. 1 in plan view will compose most of the outside surface of the boot support and separator when assembled. Since the glue line is applied so as to extend longitudinally of flap 22 in a. direction so that an extension of glue line 57 would not cross any of the other surfaces, the gluing machine used may be of an inexpensive, straight line, untimed type.

The blank is then folded along score line 14 as shown in FIG. 2. The portion of blank 10 to the right of score line 14 has been folded back out of sight in that figure. In this position the opposite sides of slot 27 register with each other as does the portions of bottom edge 28, the opposite sides of tongue portion 26, and end wall panels 16 and 21. Although this is the preferred embodiment, such registration is not always necessary.

Other registrations of parts take place at this time which are required for easy and effective assembly. Notch 56 coincides with the right side half of slot 48 and edge 54 can coincide or at least not extend further over than score line 13. Also edge 51 must be shaped and cut back so as not to extend over score line 43.

The blank 10 is now folded along score line 13 with the half portion of panel 11 folded back to the position shown in FIG. 3. The left portion of side wall panel 11 is thus closed over the side of glue flap 22 having glue line 57 thereon, thus completing the making of the boot support and separator in collapsed condition in which form it is kept until ready for use and insertion in a boot.

An alternative method of assembly would be done by applying the glue line 57 in a similar manner but to the under or opposite surface of glue flap 22. In this case the first fold would then be made along score line 13 and then the next fold would be made along score line 14 thereby allowing glue flap 22 to be pressed against the outside surface of side wall panel 11 with the glue therebetween.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the blank 10 in an assembled and expanded condition ready for use and as it will be when in a boot or similar footwear. In this condition flaps 42 and 31 are bent along arcuate score lines 43 and 32, respectively, so as to have their respective tabs 47 and 36 positioned in slots 27 and 48, respectively.

In the fully assembled form as shown in FIG. 4, it will be noted that the whole form is tapered to a narrower portion at the bottom which facilitates placing this form inside a boot and also conforms more generally to the shape of a boot which usually is narrower at the ankle with a wider opening at the top. Also, because of the tapered form in cooperation with the arcuate shape of the flap score lines, there is much less likelihood of the support form collapsing in use and the holding power of the form does not only depend upon the tabs being held in their respective slots.

With the forms inside the boots, the boots are then best placed in relation to each other as shown in FIG. 5. In this position the toe of each boot is contained in the tongue portion 26 of the form in the mated boot and movement resulting in creasing or scuffing of the boots is avoided. The boots are so placed so that contact between them is avoided while the internal support prevents creasing in the box or even when on display.

A second embodiment of the present invention has the form of blank 110, illustrated in FIG. 6. This embodiment does not use the slots and tabs of the previous embodiment but instead utilizes a very effective means for holding the form of the finished boot and separator by means of arcuate score lines which intercept lateral score lines.

Blank 110, as illustrated in FIG. 6, includes a pair of side wall panels 111 and 112 each bisected by a score line 113 and 114, respectively. Side wall panel 111 is connected to side wall panel 112 by end wall panel 116 connecting to side wall panels 111 and 112 along lateral score lines 117 and 118, respectively. Along an opposite edge of side wall panel 112 from lateral score line 118 is free edge 119.

On an opposite edge of side wall panel 111 from lateral score line 117 is lateral score line 141 connecting panel 111 to end wall panel 121. Glue flap 122 is attached to end wall panel 121 along lateral score line 123.

Side wall panel 112 has a tongue portion 126, also bisected by score line 114 which extends above the portion of panel 112 which is connected to end wall panel 116.

Side wall panel 1 11 attached to end wall panel 116 at lateral score line 117 forms a tapered panel with score line 117 and score line 141 tapering outward in an upward direction. Similarly score line 118 and free edge 119 cause panel 112 to have a tapered form with score line 118 and free edge 119 extending outward in an upward direction.

At the top end of side wall panel 111 is a flap 142 defined by sloping side edges 144 and 145 intersecting at an apex with score line 113. Flap 142 is further defined by arcuate score line 143 which extends outward and upward from bisecting score line 113, crossing near its opposite ends the score lines 141 and 1 l7, and finally intersecting with the bottom of sloping side edges 144 and 145. Arcuate score line 143 therefore connects the bottom ends of side edges 144 and 145 forming a substantially convex shaped flap.

At the bottom end of side wall panel 1 11 is a flap 131 which is defined by arcuate bottom edge portion 129, which is a part of the bottom edge 128 of blank 110, and arcuate score line 132 connecting the ends of the arcuate bottom edge portion 129. Arcuate score line 132 extends in an arc outward and downward from bisecting score line 113 and near its opposite ends crosses score lines 141 and 117, respectively. Bisecting score line 113 extends from bottom edge 129 upward through side wall panel 111 including both flaps 131 and 142.

Glue flap 122, connected to end wall panel 121 by score line 123, has its edge 152 on the opposite side from score line 123, and with a lower level portion 153. A straight glue line 157 extends longitudinally of flap 122 in a direction in which an extension of the glue line 157 would not cross any of the other panels.

With blank out and scored as shown in FIG. 6, a glue line 157 is added on the inside of glue flap 122. The surface seen in FIG. 6 in plan view, differing from that of FIG. 1, will compose most of the inside surface of the boot support and separator when assembled. As in the case with the blank of FIG. 1, the glue line is applied so as to extend longitudinally of flap 122 in a direction so that an extension of glue line 157 would not cross any of the surfaces and therefore the gluing machine used may be of an inexpensive, straight line, untimed type.

The blank 110 is then folded along score line 114 as shown in FIG. 7. The portion of blank 114 to the right of score line 114 has been folded forward and therefore is visible in FIG. 7.

The blank 110 is then folded along score line 113 as shown in FIG. 8. Glue flap 122 is thus attached to the outside of the folded-over portion of side wall panel 112. The beveled edge 153 prevents glue flap 122 from extending beyond score line 114.

An alternative form of assembly would-havebeento place the glue line 157 on the outside surface of glue flap 122 and first fold the blank along score line 113 and then make the fold along score line 114. Additional methods of assembly may also be. noted by placingthe glue line in other locations but the preferred methods have been illustrated herein.

The blank 110 now folded along score line 113 with glue flap 122 overlapping the folded portion of side wall panel 112 is now as shown in FIG. 8. Thus themaking of the boot support and separator is completed and the blank is now in finished form but in collapsed condition and in such conditionit is kept until ready for use and insertion in a boot.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the blank 1 10in an assembled and expanded condition ready for use and as it will be in a boot or similar footwear. In this condition flaps 142 and 131 are bent along arcuate score lines 143 and 132, respectively, so as to have the flaps 142 and 131 in position to prevent the collapse of the form. In this embodiment there are no slots or tabs but the flaps are kept in their-assembled position because of the structure of arcuate score lines 143 and 132 wherein these fold lines are extended over lateral score lines 141 and 117 in such manner that it is found that the flaps retain their position against most pressures placed upon the form.

This fully assembled form as shown in FIG. 9 has many of the aspects of the assembled form of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 with similar tapering having uses and effects similar to the first embodiment.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification.

What is claimed is: 1. A support and separator form for insertion into a boot or similar footwear comprising a tapered body portion, a tongue portion extending outward from the wider end of said tapered body portion, and flap means including a flap portion connected to said tapered body and extending between the confines of said body portion to cause said body por tion to retain its expanded shape. 2. The support and separator form of claim 1, further characterized by said flap means further including said flap portion connected to said tapered body portion by an arcuate score line, a free edge opposite said arcuate score line, said arcuate score line and said free edge forming said flap portion into a substantially convex shape. 3. The support and separator form of claim 2, further characterized by said flap portion having a tab portion on said arcuate free edge, said body portion having a slot therein positioned to receive said tab portion.

4. The support and separator form of claim 2, further characterizedby saidflap means further including a second flap portion connected to said tapered body portionby another arcuate score line at'a location between said first mentioned flap portion and the opposite end of said body portion,

an arcuate cut edge opposite said another arcuate score line,

said another arcuate score line of said second flap portion and said arcuate cut edge forming said second flap portion into a convex shape.

5. The support and separator form of claim 2, further characterized by said tapered body portion including a pair of tapered side wall panels, 7

a pair of end wall panels connecting said pair of taperedside wall panelsto each other,

said arcuate score line of said flap portion extending transversely of one of said pair of tapered side wall panels and having one of each end portion of said arcuate score line extending into each of said pair of end wall panels thereby defining a section of each of said end wall panels by said end portion of said arcuate score line, an end portion of a score line between said end wall panel and an attached said side wall panehand an end portion of said free edge of said fiap portion.

6. The support and separator form of claim 2, further characterized by said flapmeans further including an additional flap portion connected to said tapered body portion by another arcuate score line at a location at the opposite end of said tapered body portion from said first-mentioned flap portion,

a free edge opposite said another arcuate score line,

said another arcuate score line of said additional flap portion and said opposite free edge therefrom forming said additional flap portion into a substantially convex shape.

7. The support and separator form of claim 6, further characterized by said tapered body portion including a pair of tapered side wall panels,

a pair of end wall panels connecting said pair of tapered side wall panels to each other,

said arcuate score lines of each of said flap portions extending transversely of at least one of said pair of tapered side wall panels and having end portions of said arcuate score lines extending into said end wall panels defining sections of each of said end wall panels by an end portion of one of said arcuate score lines, an end portion of a score line between said end wall panel and an attached said side wall panel, and an end portion of said free edge of said fiap portion.

8. A paperboard or similar material blank for a boot support and separator comprising first and second tapered side wall panels,

a first end wall panel connecting said first and second side wall panels and attached to said first and second wall panels along substantially parallel lateral score lines,

a second end wall panel connected to the opposite side of said second side wall panel from said first end wall panel along a lateral score line therebetween,

a glue flap connected to said second end wall panel on the opposite side of said second end wall panel from its connection to said second side wall panel along a score line parallel to said lateral score line.

9. The blank of claim 8, further characterized by at least one of said tapered side wall panels having a flap attached thereto by an arcuate score line extending transversely of said side wall panel.

10. The blank of claim 9, further characterized by a tab on said flap extending from an arcuate edge opposite from said arcuate score line on said flap,

the other of said side wall panels from that at least one having said flap attached thereto, having a slot therein positioned to receive said tab therein.

1 1. The blank of claim 9, further characterized by a second flap attached to one of said tapered side wall panels by an arcuate score line.

12. The blank of claim 1 1, further characterized by one of said flaps attached to one of said tapered side wall panels at the wider end of said side wall panel,

the other of said flaps attached to one of said tapered side wall panels at an intermediate point on said side wall panel from its narrower end.

13. The blank of claim 12, further characterized by each of said flaps attached to a different one of said side wall panels.

14. The blank of claim 12, further characterized by each of said flaps having a tab attached thereto on an arcuate edge opposite said arcuate score lines attaching said flaps to said side wall panels,

said side wall panels having slots therein positioned to receive each of said tabs. 1

15. The blank of claim 14, further characterized by said glue flap having a notch therein extending substantially inward from a free edge and positioned to register with at least a portion of one of said slots positioned to receive one of said tabs.

16. The blank of claim 8, further characterized by one of said side wall panels having a tongue portion extending from its wider end.

17. The blank of claim 16, further characterized by the other of said side wall panels having a flap attached thereto by an arcuate score line extending transversely of said other of said side wall panels,

said flap extending from the wider end of said other of said side wall panels.

18. The blank of claim 17, further characterized by said side wall panel having said flap attached thereto being said second tapered side wall panel with said end wall panels attached on opposite sides thereof,

said arcuate score line attaching said flap to said second side wall panel extending its end portions into said end wall panels across said lateral score lines defining said second side wall panel.

19. The blank of claim 18, further characterized by a second flap attached to said second side wall panel by an arcuate score line extending its end portions into said end wall panels across said lateral score lines defining said second side wall panel.

20. The blank of claim 17 further characterized by score lines for folding the blank bisecting each of said side wall panels including said tongue portion and said flap attached thereto. 21. The blank of claim 8, further characterized by score lines in tapering relation to each other, for folding the blank, bisecting each of said side wall panels. 

1. A support and separator form for insertion into a boot or similar footwear comprising a tapered body portion, a tongue portion extending outward from the wider end of said tapered body portion, and flap means including a flap portion connected to said tapered body and extending between the confines of said body Portion to cause said body portion to retain its expanded shape.
 2. The support and separator form of claim 1, further characterized by said flap means further including said flap portion connected to said tapered body portion by an arcuate score line, a free edge opposite said arcuate score line, said arcuate score line and said free edge forming said flap portion into a substantially convex shape.
 3. The support and separator form of claim 2, further characterized by said flap portion having a tab portion on said arcuate free edge, said body portion having a slot therein positioned to receive said tab portion.
 4. The support and separator form of claim 2, further characterized by said flap means further including a second flap portion connected to said tapered body portion by another arcuate score line at a location between said first mentioned flap portion and the opposite end of said body portion, an arcuate cut edge opposite said another arcuate score line, said another arcuate score line of said second flap portion and said arcuate cut edge forming said second flap portion into a convex shape.
 5. The support and separator form of claim 2, further characterized by said tapered body portion including a pair of tapered side wall panels, a pair of end wall panels connecting said pair of tapered side wall panels to each other, said arcuate score line of said flap portion extending transversely of one of said pair of tapered side wall panels and having one of each end portion of said arcuate score line extending into each of said pair of end wall panels thereby defining a section of each of said end wall panels by said end portion of said arcuate score line, an end portion of a score line between said end wall panel and an attached said side wall panel, and an end portion of said free edge of said flap portion.
 6. The support and separator form of claim 2, further characterized by said flap means further including an additional flap portion connected to said tapered body portion by another arcuate score line at a location at the opposite end of said tapered body portion from said first-mentioned flap portion, a free edge opposite said another arcuate score line, said another arcuate score line of said additional flap portion and said opposite free edge therefrom forming said additional flap portion into a substantially convex shape.
 7. The support and separator form of claim 6, further characterized by said tapered body portion including a pair of tapered side wall panels, a pair of end wall panels connecting said pair of tapered side wall panels to each other, said arcuate score lines of each of said flap portions extending transversely of at least one of said pair of tapered side wall panels and having end portions of said arcuate score lines extending into said end wall panels defining sections of each of said end wall panels by an end portion of one of said arcuate score lines, an end portion of a score line between said end wall panel and an attached said side wall panel, and an end portion of said free edge of said flap portion.
 8. A paperboard or similar material blank for a boot support and separator comprising first and second tapered side wall panels, a first end wall panel connecting said first and second side wall panels and attached to said first and second wall panels along substantially parallel lateral score lines, a second end wall panel connected to the opposite side of said second side wall panel from said first end wall panel along a lateral score line therebetween, a glue flap connected to said second end wall panel on the opposite side of said second end wall panel from its connection to said second side wall panel along a score line parallel to said lateral score line.
 9. The blank of claim 8, further characterized by at least one of said tapered side wall panels having a flap attached thereto by an arcuate score line extending transversely of said side wall panel.
 10. The blank of claim 9, further characterized by a tab on said flap extending from an arcuate edge opposite from said arcuate score line on said flap, the other of said side wall panels from that at least one having said flap attached thereto, having a slot therein positioned to receive said tab therein.
 11. The blank of claim 9, further characterized by a second flap attached to one of said tapered side wall panels by an arcuate score line.
 12. The blank of claim 11, further characterized by one of said flaps attached to one of said tapered side wall panels at the wider end of said side wall panel, the other of said flaps attached to one of said tapered side wall panels at an intermediate point on said side wall panel from its narrower end.
 13. The blank of claim 12, further characterized by each of said flaps attached to a different one of said side wall panels.
 14. The blank of claim 12, further characterized by each of said flaps having a tab attached thereto on an arcuate edge opposite said arcuate score lines attaching said flaps to said side wall panels, said side wall panels having slots therein positioned to receive each of said tabs.
 15. The blank of claim 14, further characterized by said glue flap having a notch therein extending substantially inward from a free edge and positioned to register with at least a portion of one of said slots positioned to receive one of said tabs.
 16. The blank of claim 8, further characterized by one of said side wall panels having a tongue portion extending from its wider end.
 17. The blank of claim 16, further characterized by the other of said side wall panels having a flap attached thereto by an arcuate score line extending transversely of said other of said side wall panels, said flap extending from the wider end of said other of said side wall panels.
 18. The blank of claim 17, further characterized by said side wall panel having said flap attached thereto being said second tapered side wall panel with said end wall panels attached on opposite sides thereof, said arcuate score line attaching said flap to said second side wall panel extending its end portions into said end wall panels across said lateral score lines defining said second side wall panel.
 19. The blank of claim 18, further characterized by a second flap attached to said second side wall panel by an arcuate score line extending its end portions into said end wall panels across said lateral score lines defining said second side wall panel.
 20. The blank of claim 17, further characterized by score lines for folding the blank bisecting each of said side wall panels including said tongue portion and said flap attached thereto.
 21. The blank of claim 8, further characterized by score lines in tapering relation to each other, for folding the blank, bisecting each of said side wall panels. 